Are you Irish? No? What about just a little bit? Maybe your seventh cousin thrice removed on your mother's side was married to someone who claimed to be a leprechaun? Eh, it doesn't matter anyway. You're free to paint the town green, have a little something to drink (provided you're of legal age, of course), and maybe run around shirtless looking for pots of gold. Maybe.

Not sure where to start? We've got a lot of coverage about upcoming events (and will have more in the days to come), but here are a few things you may want to be aware of, compiled from some of our "Related Stories" (viewable on the right):

ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE: Be one of nearly 100,000 spectators to cheer on this annual celebration, now in its 33rd year. What began as a little neighborhood whoop-de-do has turned into a full-blown, raucous procession with colorful costumes, bands, clowns, leprechauns and some 100 floats cruising down a 2-mile stretch of Upper Greenville Avenue. If you see Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, thank him for his donation to the parade’s sponsor, the Greenville Avenue Business Association; it helped make the event possible this year.

Plan on driving in that area that day? You should know that Southbound Greenville Ave. closes at 9am; other streets close at 10am. "Streets will reopen when police decide it's safe."

IF YOU GO: St. Patrick’s Day parade and block party

PARADE

The Upper Greenville Avenue parade will feature about 90 floats, bands and other entries, along with sports announcers Mark Elfenbein and Richie Whitt as grand marshals. It’s organized by the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association.

When and where: It begins at 11 a.m. Saturday and lasts about two hours, running from Wellons Drive south to SMU Boulevard.

Cost: Free.

How to get there: If you don’t want to deal with street parking, take DART light rail to the Mockingbird, Lovers Lane or Park Lane stations.

BLOCK PARTY

The Lower Greenville block party toasts the Irish with food, drink, DJs and bands. It’s organized by the Greenville Commerce Association.

When: It runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday between Vickery Boulevard and Vanderbilt Avenue.

Cost: $10 cover charge

How to get there: Street parking is limited throughout the neighborhood. Violators will be ticketed and tow trucks will be on standby. A free shuttle will run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. between the block party and Mockingbird Station, where you can park your car or arrive by DART light rail. Cabs will be available when the party ends.

Rules: No coolers or containers of any kind will be allowed on the shuttle or allowed to be carried into the party.

SPECTATOR RULES

No camping and sleeping overnight near the parade route.

Parking vehicles overnight to reserve space will not be allowed.

Propane and butane grilling is prohibited. If charcoal is used at a tailgate party, a fire extinguisher must be on hand.

No parking along the frontage road of North Central Expressway.

Spontaneous stages, bands and DJ setups are banned.

No unlicensed selling or serving of alcohol.

SOURCES: Jake Levy, parade organizer and manager of Desperados Mexican Restaurant; Steve Betzelberger, party organizer and former owner of Stan’s Blue Note; Lori Chance, manager of the city’s Office of Special Events

DASH DOWN GREENVILLE 5K: This annual 5K kicks off Dallas’ St. Paddy’s Day celebration and includes live music, food and drinks, followed by the parade. It’s too late to pre-register online and compete for the cash prizes, but runners (untimed only) can sign up the morning of the race. The event benefits the North Texas Food Bank, and registered runners will receive custom-designed cotton race shirts.

Plan on driving in that area that day? You should know that Southbound Greenville Ave. closes at 9am; other streets close at 10am. "Streets will reopen when police decide it's safe."

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CONCERT: Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses will appear with Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights, Hunter Hendrickson and Whiskey Folk Ramblers at Energy Square for a post-parade concert presented by the Dallas Observer and House of Blues Entertainment.

March 17 at noon at the corner of Greenville Avenue and University Boulevard,Dallas. $15 in advance at ticketfly.com; $20 day of concert. Ages 21 and older only. Parking is limited; guests are encouraged to ride DART to Lovers Lane or Mockingbird stations. 214-757-9000. dallasstpats.com.

SPECIAL EVENT PARTY: 10am to 7pm on Greenville Ave. between Vanderbilt and Vickery. Streets close 9am to pm. Street sales of alcohol end at 6:30pm or earlier if DPD deems necessary. No alcohol may be brought into the event.

AFTER THE PARTY: At least as far as city officials are aware, party-goers usually hit up Lower Greenville bars after all the daytime events are done. There will be plenty of cops on duty, so please drink responsibly, and we would advise not parking in "No Parking" areas.

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